Package



Patented Oct. 26, 1943 anais OFC PACKAGE David H. Holmes, Medford, Oreg., and Reginald Meller, Oakland,` Calif.; said Mellor assigner to said Holmes Application August 3, 1940, Serial No. 350,202

8 Claims. (Cl. 20S-,4.4)

This invention relates to containers and particularly to that type commonly known as gift or token packages.

It is an object of the invention to provide a package which will greatly en hance the appearance of an article contained therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a package in which two or more different articles may be placed, having means therein for accentuating one of the articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a package of the class described, an articlereceiving recess whose surface is highly reflective l to light and is so formed that the article placed in the recess appears to an observer to be materially larger than it actually is.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a package composed of two or more receptacles for different gifts or tokens such as candies and flowers, one of which receptacles is arranged centrally to receive and emphasize the vflowers and is provided with means permitting entrance into an adjacent receptacle so that any unsightly stems on the ilowers may be positioned outside of the main receptacle in order that they will not be emphasized in the safe manner as the flowers and therefore detract from the appearance of the latter.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, will be speciiically set forth in the detailed description of the invention hereunto annexed. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specic form thereof herein shown and described, as various other embodiments thereof may be employed within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a container embodying the improved construction of our invention. In the view, one of the side trays is omitted so as to more clearly disclose the underlying structure.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken in the plane indicated by the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse Vertical sectional View taken in the plane indicated by the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a greatly magnified fragmental sectional view of the sheet material from which the insert is constructed. The plane in which the view is taken is indicated by the line Q-li cf Figure 3.

In broad terms, our invention comprises .a recessed body which may take the form of a simple boxV preferably having, although permissibly lacking, a cover or lid to form a closure therefor. Within the body recess is provided an insert filler comprising a plurality of interconnected sheet material members which serve to partition the recess into a plurality of individual, an open, object-receiving compartments. A main one, preferably .the most centrally located, of the compartments is provided with a visible, surface which is mirror-like and which is capable of reflecting a major portion of light rays entering the main compartment, and which is given a cross-sectional form which serves to project the reflected light rays toward a focus at a point preferably above the center of the main compartment, which point is arbitrarily calculated to be at or near the probable normal position of the eyes of a person looking into the main compartment. `Means is provided for sub-dividing each compartment adjoining the main compartment into preferably two separate sections, one of which isclosed, and means is also provided in a side Wall of the main compartment which permits communication between the main and the adjoining closed compartments.

In greater detail, our invention comprises a body member having a bottom 6, side walls l and end walls 8 which are all integrally connected Vtogether so as to enclose a depression 9. The body member is shown, by Way of example-only, as a simple rectangular box but it is obvious that various irregular and ornamental designs of the structure surrounding the depression 9 may be employed. Disposed within the depression 9, as is best shown in Figure 3, is an insert element composed of sheet material having, along opposite sides thereof, flaps li which are bent downwardly along parallel scores l2 to vertical positions contiguous with the inner surface of the side walls l. The flaps il extend preferably the full height of the side walls and the intermediate portion I3 of the sheet extending'between the scores I2 is of sufficiently greater Width than the Width of the box recess 9, that when the insert is in position in the latter, the said intermediate portion I3 will be flexed downwardly to form substantially a parabolic curve whoser apex rests against the box bottom 8..

We prefer that the length of the insert element be considerably less `than that of the box recess so that, with vthe insert element centralized inthe recess, a pair of open spaces is provided at opposite ends of the box. The opposite edges of the nsertelement confronting the ends of the box are each provided with convexedly curved portions I having tabs I5 extending therefrom.

Positioned in each of the open end spaces of the box, and in contiguous engagement with the curved transverse edges of the insert element, is a vertical partition sheet I1 having at each end thereof a flap I8 which is bent along a vertical score I9 and lies against and parallel with the side walls l, the flaps serving to lend stability to the partition sheet. will be plainly seen in Figure l, rests at its bottom edge on the tabs I6 of the insert element and thus assists in securing the latter in the box recess in addition to forming a vertical wall separating the central compartment 2 I 'from'each end compartment 22.

Disposed in each of the end compartments, and resting on the bottom 6 of the box, is a removable recessed rectangular tray 23 overlying which, and dividing the end compartment into upper and lower sections, is a division sheet 24pmvided with suitable finger holesZG which per mit of gripping of the division sheet by the ngers so that it may be lifted from the compartment to open the lower section thereof. The division sheet is preferably provided with downwardly extending marginal flanges 2l which lie contiguously with the inner surfaces of the side and end walls of the box and whose lower edges rest against the box bottom 5 so that the di-k vision sheet is positioned substantially midway of the depth of the end compartments. A second tray 28, similar to the tray 23 and resting on top of the division sheet, is removably positioned in the upper section of the end compartment. In Figure ll it will be seen that each tray, when in place, forms aside wall for two additional recesses 2g ybounded on their other sides by the side wall l of the box and the curved partition sheet Il. Thus, in each end compartment of the box, a total of six separate objectreceiving receptacles is provided.

The package or box described above may be used to pack a wide variety of marketable articles but it finds its widest use as a gift box in which the plurality of receptacles and trays in the end compartments 22 are usually packed with candies, glace'd fruits or the like delicacies, and the main, centrally situated compartment 2| is used as a receptacle for flowers usually in the form of a Corsage although other articlessuch as fresh fruits may be vplaced therein.

Means is provided whereby the flowers or other articles occupying the main compartment will be made more conspicuous thanthose occupying the end receptacles and also be made to appear larger in size than they actually are. To accomplish this, the exposedvsurface of the intermediate portion i3 of the insert elementis, as shown in Figure 4, provided with a coating 3l which is mirror-like and is therefore highly reflective to light. Likewise, the surfaces of the partition sheets I'I which face-inwardly toward the central compartment are-similarly coated. The coating Si Vmay be any material which will produce the aforesaid mirror-likeY surface which completely covers the area of theicentral compartment, such as Vhigh gloss enamel, Cellophane or burnished metallic paint. It is preferable, however, to adhesively attach to the sheets I3 and il a thin metal foilsince this material will produce a surface having the greatest amount of light refiection. L

VIt will beseen that when' algrcup of flowers The partition sheet, as.

or other articles are in the main compartment their image will be'reflected in the highly burnished surface with the result that, if the contents of the compartment are not closely scrutinized, even a small Corsage of ilowers or group of other articles will appear, dueto the manifold reflections, to completely fill the compartment. This illusion is heightened bythe con'- cave cross-sectional shape of the compartment which collects light rays reflected by the surfaces of the article occupying the compartment and lfocuses them at a point above the compartment at which the eyes of an observer are assumed to normally be.

Means is provided for positioning any unsightly stems on flowers outside of thel main compartment. As is best shown in Figure 3, onev or both of the partition sheets Il is provided with a ap 32 which is bounded on three sides by slits 33 which may be cut entirely through the sheet or only partially therethrough so that the flap may be displaced, about the hinge defined by a line intersecting the opposite ends of the slit, by pressure of the fingers against the flap. This flap, when the lower tray 23 of an end compartment has previously been removed, permits of communication between the lower sectionof the end compartment and the main compartment. The stems of owers may therefore be pushed through the opening so that they will be oon- `cealed from view within the lower end compartment section. This construction also affordsan-k other desirable feature. After the Vflowers are placed in the main compartment and the stems are projected into the end compartment, the space in the latter formerly occupied by the removed tray may be packed with wet. moss or any other similar material commonly employed by florists to maintain flowers in a fresh and unwilted state. f

It will be seen from the foregoing description of our invention that we have provided anovell gift package which greatly enhances the beauty of articles which may be packed therein, whichv provides a large number of neatly arranged vindividual reoeptacles'in which different articles may be packed, and which does not cost materially more to produce than the average box of this character. y

l. A package comprising a recessed box-like body, vertically disposed, spaced, partitionsheets extending transversely of the body recess to divide said recess into a center and end compartments, substantially flat horizontally disposed dvision sheets spanning said end compartmentsy anddividing said end vcompartments into upper and lower sections adaptablefor holding merchandise, an insert sheet of material in saidA center compartment and flexed-to providesaid center compartment with a substantially L1-shaped cross-,sectional form, and said insert sheet of material having thereon a surface coating of material possessing mirror-like light-reflecting -reiecting properties.

a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional form,

said insert sheet of material having, at opposite ends thereof, integral flanges which are directed downwardly and engage the bottom of said body recess, and said insert sheet of material having thereon a surface coating of material possessing mirror-like light-reecting properties.

3. A package comprising avrecessed box-like body, vertically disposed, spaced, partition sheets extending transversely of the body recess to divide said recess into acenter and end compartments, horizontally disposed division sheets spanning said end compartments and dividing said end compartments into upper and lower sections adaptable for holding merchandise, said division sheets each having marginal, downwardly extending flanges engaging the bottom of said body recess for positioning said division sheets substantially medially of the depth of said recess, and said center compartment having a member therein provided with a surface coating of material possessing mirrorlike light-reflecting properties.

4. A package comprising arecessed box-like body, vertically disposed, spaced, partition sheets extending transversely of the body recess to divide said recess into a center and end compartments, horizontally disposed division sheets spanning said end compartments and dividing said end compartments into upper and lower sections adaptable for holding merchandise, an insert sheet of material in said center compartment and iiexed to provide said center compartment with a substantially U shaped cross-sectional form, andl saidv insert sheet of material and the surfaces ofthe respective partition sheets facing said center compartment being each provided with a surface coating of material possessing' mirror-like lightrecessed box-like spaced, partition 5. A package comprising a body, vertically disposed,

sheets extending transversely of the body recessl to divide said recess intoacenter and end compartments, horizontally disposed division sheets spanning said end compartments and dividing said end compartments into upper and lower sections, and at least one of said partition sheets having an opening therein through which said center compartment and one of the lower sections of the end compartments are in communication, said opening being normally. closed by a resiliently hinged tab adapted toexert pressure upon an item extending through said opening.

6. A package comprising a recessed `box-like body, vertically disposed, spaced, partition sheets extending transversely of the body recess to divide said recess into a center and end compartments, horizontally disposed division sheets spanning said end compartments and dividing said end compartments ,into upper and lower sections, and at least one` of said partition sheets having therein a U-shaped slit defining an opening, through which said center compartment and the lower section of an end compartment are in communication, said U-shaped slit forming a resiliently hinged tab normally closing said opening and adapted to exert pressure upon an item extending through said opening` 7. A package comprising a recessed body, an insert sheet of material flexed to -U-shaped cross-sectional forminserted in said body recess and provided at opposite ends with marginal anges directed vertically downwardly and resting on the bottom of said body recess, the transverse side edges of said insert sheet being curved convexedly outwardly from the center of the recess and said side edges of the insert sheet being disposed in spaced relation to the transverse sides oi said recess, vertical partition sheets within said recess and each being curved to conform with, and engaging, the curved transverse edges of the insert sheet, said partition sheets dividing the body recess into a center and a pair of end compartments, horizontal division sheets in and dividing each end compartment into upper and lower sections, said division sheets having a transverse edge thereof curved to conform with the curvature of, and engaging, said partition sheets, and the surfaces of said insert sheet and the partition sheets facing said center compartment having thereon a surface coating of material possessing mirrorlike light-reflecting properties.

8. A package comprising a recessed body, an insert sheet of material flexed to U-shaped cross-sectional form inserted in said body recess and provided at opposite ends with marginal flanges directed vertically rdownwardly and resting on the bottom of said body recess, the` transverse side edges of said insert sheet being curved convexedly outwardly from the center of the recess and said side edges of the insert sheet being disposed in spaced relation to the transverse sides of said recess, Vertical partition sheets lwithin said recess and each being curved to conform with, and engaging, the curved transverse edges of the insert sheet, said partition sheets dividing the body recess into' a center and a pair of end compartments, primary` object-receiving trays removably positioned in said end compartments and resting on the bottom of said body recess, horizontal division sheets in said end compartments, overlying said primary trays, and dividing said end compartments into upper and lower sections, `said division sheets each having artransverse edge thereof curved to conform with the curvature of, and engaging, said partition sheets, secondary trays removably positioned in the upper sections of said end com- DAVID I-I. HOLMES. REGINALD MEILER. 

